Dave'S "No Guilt" Soup
A hearty, low-calorie soup packed with vegetables, tender chicken, and flavorful herbs, perfect for a wholesome, satisfying meal that suits health-conscious or comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
- 2 skinless chicken breasts, cooked ⓘ
- 1 qt. canned tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 c. lentils, cooked ⓘ
- 1 c. corn, cooked ⓘ
- 1 c. green beans, cooked ⓘ
- 6 oz. canned mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 c. macaroni ⓘ
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 tsp. garlic powder ⓘ
- 2 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 dash of thyme ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat canned tomatoes.
- Add spices and chopped onions.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add cooked vegetables, mushrooms, and cooked chicken cut into small pieces.
- Add enough water to reach the desired consistency; less for a thick soup, more for a thinner soup.
- Add macaroni and simmer until the macaroni is tender.
- Adjust spices to suit your taste.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider sautéing the onions before adding them to the soup. You can substitute the lentils with chickpeas or black beans if preferred. If you want a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead. This soup is versatile, so feel free to add any leftover vegetables from your fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Alice'S Chicken And Broccoli for a well-rounded dining experience. Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream for added richness. A sprinkle of fresh herbs can enhance the flavor as well.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened. You can also microwave individual portions in a covered bowl, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dave'S "No Guilt" Soup contains roughly 402 calories, with 30g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (78% of the Daily Value), protein (61% of the Daily Value), and vitamin D (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 588mg per serving (26% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes, this soup can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors will continue to develop overnight, making it even more delicious. Just be sure to reheat it gently before serving to maintain the texture of the macaroni and vegetables.
What can I substitute for macaroni?
If you don't have macaroni on hand, you can use any small pasta like ditalini or shells. Alternatively, spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice can be great low-carb options. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure they are tender but not mushy.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, this soup freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or microwave before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).